Cologne Rose Monday Parade

Germany's largest and oldest Rose Monday parade – over 7 km of floats, music and sweets through the city centre.

The Cologne Rose Monday Parade (Rosenmontagszug) is the climax of the street carnival and draws more than a million spectators every year.

Source: Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-06-24

At a glance

When: Rose Monday
Since: 1823 – the oldest of Germany's big Rose Monday parades
Length: about 7.5 km through the city centre
Participants: ~10,000 active, around 150 floats
Admission: free

What happens

Led by the Blue Sparks, the procession sets off in the morning and takes hours to finish. Floats, bands, riders and dance groups move through the city, throwing Kamelle (sweets) into the crowd. Each year follows a new, often political motto.

Tradition

The parade is organised by the Festkomitee Kölner Karneval; its fixed groups include the Cologne Triumvirate of Prince, Farmer and Maiden.

Gallery

Maskenzug 1825 (1), einer der ersten Kölner Karnevalsumzüge; Blatt 7/7 - 36,6 x 45,7 cm — © Jodocus Schlappal · Public domain · Commons

Der babylonische Turm, aus der Serie zum Maskenzug 1828, einem der ersten Kölner Karnevalsumzüge — © Jodocus Schlappal · Public domain · Commons

Der Kölner "Held Carneval" aus dem Jahre 1824; Nachbildung im Kölner Karnevalsmuseum — © Superbass · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons

Maskenzug in Köln im Jahre 1846 — © A.R. (Name unknown, died at least 70 years ago) · Public domain · Commons

Rosenmontagszug 2006 in Köln - Dr Zoch kütt — © Rolf Hahn · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons

Hofnarr des Königs Karneval — © W. Goebbels (1804-1824) und H. Goffart · Public domain · Commons

General der Roten Funken in Köln — © W. Goebbels (1804-1824) und H. Goffart · Public domain · Commons

Darstellung eines Kölner Hanswurst aus dem Jahre 1831 — © F.-X. Schlösser · Public domain · Commons

Maskenzug 1825 (2), einer der ersten Kölner Karnevalsumzüge, Ausschnitt Kölner Bauer — © Jodocus Schlappal · Public domain · Commons

Map

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Cologne Rose Monday Parade

At a glance

What happens

Tradition

Gallery

Map

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